"Ah, Elder Mu, that was your daughter's answer. You haven't... forgotten, have you?"
A young man stood beside the apologetic elder, dressed in a Western-style suit. He looked to be in his early twenties.
The young master of the Zhou family, whose looks were undeniably striking, was no ordinary person!
"Th-this..."
Mu Zhuoran glanced at Jiang Yu, feeling rather troubled.
Because of what had happened between Mu Qinglong and the young master of the Zhou family, he simply couldn't take the lead...
Although Mu Qinglong was Mu Zhuoran's son, his engagement to the Zhou family's young master had been arranged by Elder Mu, who was now in the Imperial Capital.
"Hello. Which family are you from?"
Zhou Youhong quickly stepped in front of Jiang Yu and asked politely.
He reached out to shake hands, a customary greeting.
"I'm from the Jiang family. Jiang Yu."
Jiang Yu replied coolly, showing no intention of shaking the other man's hand.
At that moment, he twitched his nose, as if he'd caught a strange smell.
And it seemed to be coming from the young master of the Zhou family.
Jiang Yu thought hard, trying to place the smell and remember whether it was connected to...
Zhou Youhong then withdrew his hand with a slightly awkward expression and clapped.
"So, you're from the Jiang family?"
He sounded somewhat wary of Jiang Yu, who had just introduced himself as someone from the Jiang family.
After all, the people who could make it into the Imperial Capital's upper circles were no ordinary folk. It could be trouble if he offended some family's young master without realizing it.
Besides, Zhou Youhong wasn't a fool. He wouldn't casually antagonize the Zhou family's rivals.
Just then, the young man who'd been following him turned and bowed to him.
"Pardon me, Young Master Zhou, but what does this have to do with you?"
Zhou Youhong pointed at Jiang Yu. He seemed displeased with the man whose background he didn't know.
Jiang Yu was lost in thought and didn't respond.
Zhou Youhong's eyes shifted to Mu Zhuoran, who was wearing an expression of pained reluctance. His handsome features showed a trace of sorrow...
Zhou Youhong curled his lips and spoke again:
"Elder Mu, please think this over carefully. I'm only doing this for your daughter's sake."
"After all, Mu Qinglong will soon be entering the Imperial Capital's Academy of Combat. With the Zhou family's resources and my help, she'll make rapid progress."
"So, for your daughter's future, you won't refuse, will you?"
Mu Zhuoran's expression turned serious. After thinking for a moment, he replied:
"Please go back. I think this is something my daughter and I need to discuss privately."
"What's more, Young Master Zhou was only just through a life-or-death crisis. She must be frightened..."
Zhou Youhong's false smile froze. He turned cold.
"Fine, then."
He glanced at the middle-aged elder who'd followed him, then gave Mu Qinglong a vicious look.
The elder followed Zhou Youhong away.
Watching Zhou Youhong leave, Mu Zhuoran let out a weary sigh.
"Alas..."
Was it really best for him to rely on the head of the family's wishes and make this decision?
Unfortunately, the Mu family was one of the eight great ancient clans. It wasn't a matter of simply leaving whenever he wanted.
He had no way out.
"Qinglong, if you're unwilling, the worst I can do is refuse to let you attend the Imperial Capital's Academy."
Mu Zhuoran said through gritted teeth.
He'd decided to give up the marriage alliance, even if it meant being expelled from the Mu family.
Mu Qinglong remained silent, her thoughts in turmoil. She didn't know what to think...
I remember now.
It was the Black Vatican.
Jiang Yu's eyes lit up. He suddenly recalled the distinctive smell he'd noticed on them—the same strange stench that clung to members of the Black Vatican.
They could make it into the Imperial Capital's Academy because they'd leaned on that seemingly insignificant C-rank talent...
[Small increase in healing ability.] [Divine-bone possession skill increased slightly.]...
So that young master of the Zhou family actually has ties to the Black Vatican!
Thinking this, Jiang Yu looked at Mu Zhuoran and Mu Qinglong, who were still troubled. He was silent for a moment.
Then he smiled and said:
"Uncle Mu, don't worry. I'll handle it."
"You'll handle it?!"
Mu Zhuoran looked at Jiang Yu in disbelief.
Even if Jiang Yu was strong, he was only a student at the Academy of Combat. How could he take care of this?
It was far beyond his abilities.
The moment that thought crossed his mind, he felt a chill run through him.
Jiang Yu merely smiled. He didn't say anything more.
"I have something to take care of. I'll be going first."
With that, he turned and walked out of the Mu family's courtyard.
Mu Qinglong's lips moved, but the words she wanted to say never came out.
She was an adult now and had learned to be sensible.
Although she'd secretly developed feelings for Jiang Yu, she knew those feelings were as distant and untouchable as a mountain...
"Hello, is this Uncle Tang?"
Jiang Yu made a call.
He'd gotten acquainted with Tang Yue's eldest brother, Tang Xin, while judging the martial-arts tournament.
Since their last meeting in Bo City, Tang Xin had left Jiang Yu a deep impression.
And he'd met him again at the temple fair in the mountain range, when he and some star-ranked students had been on a mission.
Tang Xin liked him, so Jiang Yu had started calling him Uncle Tang.
"Ah, you little rascal. You haven't contacted me in so long... I was just about to call you!"
Tang Xin sounded happy. There was a hint of regret in his voice, too.
"Uncle Tang, I'm not in a hurry. We can talk later tonight."
"Bah, you rascal. You have no idea how much I value you!"
Tang Xin laughed as he spoke.
He was looking at a document in his hand.
It contained secret information about the academy, including details about Jiang Yu's past that the outside world didn't know.
"Age: seventeen. Awakened to Demonic Law less than three years ago. Alone, he killed his way through a hundred thousand demons, including no shortage of high-ranking beings.
"After careful analysis, Jiang Yu possesses a star-level demon weapon. Suspected to have been provided by the Mu family. His energy reserves..."
"Eight months ago, he killed five Black Vatican priests, including a priest of the Tang Yue Temple. Among them was a heretic who had infiltrated the outside world..."
"Golden scales... suspected to be a spirit beast, possibly a thousand-year-old spirit beast or a demon. Estimate based on..."
"His energy consumption is low, and his rate of improvement is fast. His combat strength exceeds expectations..."
"Conclusion: A genius of the nation! A once-in-a-millennium talent!"
This document was a special assessment report prepared for the academy. The assessment team behind it had a special connection to the Black Vatican.
At present, only the team's most senior members had seen the report...
"So, Jiang Yu, do you suspect that the Zhou family is connected to the Black Vatican?"
After listening to Jiang Yu's account, Tang Xin asked, frowning.
"I have a special way to investigate them."
Jiang Yu spoke with quiet confidence.
He'd dealt with the Black Vatican more than once. He'd come to recognize their smell.
"Good. Then I'll head to the Imperial Capital tonight and... investigate and gather evidence."
"Uncle Tang, you're coming in person?"
Hearing this, Jiang Yu was a little surprised.
Tang Xin was the temple's head and an extraordinary Demonic Law user. He was actually going to come personally because of what Jiang Yu had said.
The call ended.
Tang Xin didn't waste any time. He immediately pushed aside his other duties and set aside several days to handle the matter.
After all, nothing mattered more than protecting a national genius...
Just then,
another call came through. Tang Xin answered without hesitation.
After a long while, he turned toward the Imperial Capital.
"The Imperial Capital's in trouble again. They actually stirred up an elder of the Black Vatican to investigate the matter himself!"
"I reckon those so-called members of the world's great families are already secretly gloating, thinking Jiang Yu really has no one backing him..."
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